NHMRC Investigator Grants
The 2025 NHMRC Investigator Grant round is now closed to applications. Applications are under assessment and outcomes are expected in February 2025.
The information below will be updated for the 2026 round (for funding commencing in 2027) in due course.
Key dates for 2025 NHMRC Investigator Grants (for funding commencing in 2026)
- NHMRC round opening: 19 June 2024
- UQ R&I Information Session: 11 July 2024, 1:30 pm
- UQ R&I Notice of Intent close: 10 July 2024
- Minimum data requirements in Sapphire*: 17 July 2024
- Applications due to UQ R&I: 17 July 2024
- Applications close with NHMRC: 5PM AEST, 15 August 2024
- Anticipated notification of outcomes: February 2025 (date is indicative and subject to change)
Overview
The objective of the Investigator Grant scheme is to support the research program of outstanding investigators at all career stages. It builds the capacity of Australian research for the future and creates knowledge through investment in research which improves health and thus contributes to Australia’s prosperity. An Investigator Grant offers a consolidated five-year funding package that includes salary (if required) and research support package (RSP). The scheme comprises two categories - Emerging Leadership (EL) and Leadership (L).
How to apply
Internal notice of intent process
All researchers intending to submit an NHMRC 2025 Investigator Grant (for funding in 2026) are required to submit an internal Notice of Intent (NOI). NOIs will be collated centrally and distributed to Faculties and Institutes in order to provide maximum support to the UQ research community.
Step 1. Sapphire updates and scheme reading
- Update your full profile and CV in the NHMRC granting system, Sapphire. Investigators new to Sapphire need to submit a registration request via the Sapphire login page.
- Familiarise yourself with the key National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), External Funding Organisations and UQ documentation.
Step 2. Completing the application
- Log into Sapphire and complete the application.
Step 3. UQR&I internal review and feedback
- Ahead of internal review, ensure all online components are complete/valid and generate your proposal snapshots in Sapphire.
- To initiate internal review, email your completed Funding Application Certification Form, Pending and Newly Funded Grants Form, word document of your Grant Proposal, and evidence of PhD pass date to UQ R&I at nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au.
- Internal review by UQ R&I/feedback provided (compliance/eligibility/grantsmanship).
Step 4. Final submission
- Final submission by UQ R&I to NHMRC.
Information session
To assist UQ researchers preparing applications, the Research Office held an information session discussing key aspects of the scheme and application components, with an opportunity for Q&A with an expert panel. Session recording and slides available on the Presentations and Slides page.
Readership and researcher support
Before applying, we recommend you:
- Contact your faculty or institute research manager for advice on peer readership programs.
- Join the UQ R&I Mailer to stay up to date with round developments.
- Access the UQ R&I Grants Library, a helpful resource of past successful proposals.
- If offered, attend UQ R&I information sessions and access PowerPoint presentations from presentations and slides.
Key documents
Please note: The resources below are for the 2025 round which is now closed. They are provided here for reference only and will be updated for the 2026 round in due course.
NHMRC
The NHMRC grant guidelines and the full suite of NHMRC documents are available from GrantConnect (GO7020) the Australian Government grants information system (login required).
UQ
Templates
- UQ 2025 NHMRCINVG Certification Form (DOCX, 69.3 KB)
- UQ 2025 NHMRCINVG Grant Proposal Template (DOCX, 40.2 KB)
- UQ 2025 NHMRCINVG PartTime Professional Letter (DOCX, 37.3 KB)
- UQ 2025 NHMRCINVG Pending and newly funded grants (DOCX, 38 KB)
Other resources
- UQ Career Disruption Calculator (XLSX, 17.8 KB)
- UQ 2025 NHMRCINVG Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 276.5 KB)
- UQ 2025 NHMRCINVG How To Guide (PDF, 899 KB)
- UQ 2025 NHMRCINVG Research Impact Guide (PDF, 395.8 KB)
A range of resources and workshops from the UQ library are also available to assist researchers applying for this scheme
- Ensure your Researcher identifiers and profiles are up to date
- Visit Publication metrics for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator grant for example statements and instructions around finding key evidence to include in your NHMRC Investigator Grant application.
- Attend training sessions (UQ login required):
- Publication metrics for your NHMRC Investigator grant application - Wednesday 3 July, 10:00-11:00am (online via Zoom).
- Research engagement and impact evidence for your NHMRC Investigator grant application - Thursday 4 July, 10:00-11:00am (online via Zoom). - Attend drop-in sessions to ask questions and get help with finding metrics and other evidence relating to publications for your application.
- Monday 8 July, 11:00-12:00pm (St Lucia campus)
- Thursday 11 July, 1:00-2:00pm (online via Zoom)
Contact UQ R&I
Scheme and Sapphire queries
Round coordinators
Dr Emma Livingstone
Dr Megan Cross
If you are applying through UQ but are not a current UQ staff member, please contact the round team above so that you can be added to a mailing list for updates.